Pastor faces drunken driving charges

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A Roman Catholic pastor from East Longmeadow, known for his outspoken criticisms of the Church’s handling of the child sexual abuse scandals, is facing drunken driving charges following minor a three-car accident, according to the East Longmeadow Police Department. The accident occurred Friday on North Main Street near the intersection of Harkness Street at about 5:20 p.m., when the Rev. James Scahill of St. Michael’s Parish apparently rear-ended the car in front of him, which rolled into another car in front of it, said East Longmeadow police Sergeant Pat Manly. No one was injured and there was no serious damage, he said. Scahill was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and is scheduled to appear in Palmer District Court this week, said Manly. Since joining St. Michael’s Parish in 2002, Scahill has been known for his sharp criticisms against the church.